"Why are you looking at like that?"
"Afraid you might be unhappy."
"Haha, there’s certainly a bit of disappointnt, but it’s not to the point of unhappiness.
There’s no feast that doesn’t eventually end. Even family mbers must part ways at tis."
"The two of us won’t part."
Yuanyuan nodded with a smile, "Alright, we won’t part."
It’s already year ’66, and the situation here has stabilized.
Tan Shaoting’s work is becoming increasingly busy. Both of them know this is preparation to leave. Actually, it’s quite good to be busy. Here, they really aren’t too accustod to the lifestyle.
The kids can also speak the local language now, but at ho, Yuanyuan teaches them Mandarin.
Sotis when the kids speak quickly, they mix both languages together.
There’s nothing to be done about it; it’ll be much better once they return to the north.
She’s also been gradually collecting fruit, but not too much. Mostly dried fruit. That way, even when they return, it won’t attract too much attention.
Zhao Yanli made two friends on the train. They were both heading to university, the Industrial and Agricultural University.
Their families are well-off, and they worked hard to secure this opportunity.
Actually, they are all southerners. Assigned to the north. Honestly, they feel unsure in their hearts. So the three of them chat about life in the north.
The girl, Fang Chuxiao, is short but loves to smile, "Xiao Li, do you think we’ve prepared thick enough coats?"
"No problem. It’s not like you’re going to Jiangbei. Don’t worry. The place you’re going to is actually quite rich in resources."
This was sothing she heard from Mr. Li.
He would tell the two kids about the outside world, and Zhao Yanli would go listen whenever she had ti.
"Xiao Li, you really know a lot."
Zhao Yanli laughed heartily, "I’ve actually never been to school. I learned to read from others."
"You’re really impressive, being able to do this without schooling."
Zhao Yanli didn’t like being complinted like that. She couldn’t feel the sincerity. But she understood they were just temporary conversation partners.
So, she chatted cheerfully without thinking deeply.
The boy remained mostly silent, unwilling to be here. But since his family arranged it, he had to co. So throughout the journey, he was silent.
He knew a bit about the north. He knew it would be very difficult for them to adapt.
But now that things were like this, and hearing what Zhao Yanli said, he realized that going further north would be even harder. He was still a bit relieved he wasn’t going to the real north.
The two girls chatted and laughed, making ti pass quickly.
After seeing the two get off the train, three more people ca into the compartnt, but unfortunately, it wasn’t as good. It was a family of three, their child seed to be around ten years old.
This ti, Zhao Yanli didn’t initiate a conversation.
"Young woman, where are you heading?"
You can’t refuse a friendly face. Since they started the conversation, she couldn’t ignore them, right?
"Big sister, I’m heading to Jiangbei."
"Jiangbei? It’s really cold there."
"Yes, it is quite cold." She wouldn’t proactively ask about the family’s situation; she simply responded when asked.
"Young woman, your accent isn’t from Jiangbei either."
"I work on a farm."
"I was wondering. You look young, why would you want to work on a farm? Even though I’ve never done it, I heard it’s very tough."
"Haha. It’s alright. Once you get used to it, it’s fine. Actually, farm work is quite good. You have nearly half of the ti to rest. Of course, the working half is quite exhausting."
"Oh dear, a beautiful young woman like you working under the sun and wind every day."
Now Zhao Yanli laughed. Once accustod, she didn’t really find farm work that bad. Yuanyuan was right, habits are truly scary.
The girl might have been sulking, always with a long face, but she paid more attention when she saw Zhao Yanli eating fruit.
"Young woman, this is so rice cake I brought, have a taste." Any mother would understand her daughter’s thoughts, but actually asking soone was a bit embarrassing.
"Thank you, big sister, but I have food with .
Little girl, this is so fruit I brought along; I have two, have one to try." How could she not notice the little girl’s actions, Yuanyuan had advised her not to eat others’ food, not anything.
Yet since the little girl wanted so, why make things difficult?
"Thank you." The little girl felt a bit embarrassed, but took it anyway. Mostly because the aroma was especially sweet.
And so they chatted casually, and she learned they lived in the neighboring city to big sister’s family, and she would get off the train before them.
Finally, it was almost ti to get off. Zhao Yanli felt greatly relieved. She dragged two bags of dried fruit from under the bed, along with her luggage.
"Young woman, let help you."
"Thank you, big sister, but there’s no need, I can manage. I do farm work, so this is nothing."
She declined the offer and tucked the bags directly under her arms, grabbed the suitcase, and left the compartnt.
After she left, the family of three started discussing.
"Xiao Xiang, you see, this is what happens when there’s no connection at ho. You end up working on a farm. From the look of that girl’s strength, you can see how hard farm life is. So stop being stubborn."
"You say it well. But don’t you always prioritize your son? Why recomnd the opportunity to him?"
"You’re still young; you can’t go even if I give it to you now."
"Hmph, talk is cheap."
Zhao Yanli waited by the train door; she had so much stuff that she’d rather co here early.
She took a rope from her bag and tied the two bags together to carry after she got off the train.
When preparing, Yuanyuan told her to bring a stick, to carry the bags with after disembarking, but she forgot, so carrying it was her only option.
Frankly, she wouldn’t feel embarrassed; there was nothing wrong with carrying it, let others see if they want.
Just then, a train attendant ca by. It was a young guy, he glanced at Zhao Yanli at the door without saying anything.
Zhao Yanli looked up at the attendant and felt her heart race.
She stared blankly at him for a while until he frowned at her, only then did she snap out of it.
"Comrade, sorry about that."
"No worries." Zhao Yanli suddenly felt her heart cool down, seeing him at a glance, but he seed to scorn her.
She lowered her head in slight sadness, realizing it wasn’t her fate. Oh well, she’d better play it straight. With conditions like his, he surely wouldn’t be interested in her.
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